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Despite his proclamations to become both the mayor of Green Bay and the mayor of Los Angeles, Green Bay Packers rookie running back Johnathan Franklin displayed an innocent but unworldly side of his personality in an interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. A native of Los Angeles, Franklin showed his life experiences haven't extended much beyond that in the big city. "I saw a moose head in a room the other day and I went crazy. I ain't seen none of this," Franklin is quoted as saying by reporter Martin Hendricks. "I said, 'Is that real? Did you really kill a moose?' It's so different here. I saw a porcupine the other day, I mean it's crazy." It's rather humorous to see Franklin react with such wonderment. For most natives of Wisconsin, the sight of a porcupine is hardly a notable experience, as is taxidermy. Franklin seems like a good kid, just a little dewy-eyed and perhaps precocious.

Another light-hearted story appeared in at PackersNews.com about newly-signed kicker Giorgio Tavecchio, a native of Italy who made tiramisu for the offensive linemen on the team as a gesture of thanks and goodwill. “I have made Tiramisu at home before. I’ve never made it for the O-line,” is quoted as saying by reporter Wes Hodkiewicz. “My thinking behind that was these poor guys get beat up every day and most of the time they’re blocking for me, so I want them to know how much I appreciate it. If making them a dessert makes their day any better, I can go home a happy man.” In light of what's happening with former Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez, it's fun to read such innocent articles on players like Franklin and Tavecchio.

Tight endJermichael Finley was named the seventh most important Packer of 2012 by FoxSportsWisconsin.com. "The good qualities that Finley offers to the Green Bay Packers begin with his elite athleticism and size at the tight end position," writes Paul Imig. "He's the perfect type of target that a quarterback wants to look for in the middle of the field. Last season, Finley had more catches (61) than any tight end in franchise history. Yes, the NFL has evolved into more of a passing league, so records like that are going to be broken sooner or later. But that shouldn't diminish the value that Finley added by accounting for one out of every six completions thrown by Aaron Rodgers." Finley enters a contract season, so his future fortunes have the potential to be influenced on how his 2013 goes.

Thoughts on offensive linemanBryan Bulaga from ESPN scout Matt Williamson are shared in a blog post by ESPN.com NFC North blogger Kevin Seifert. "I certainly don't see him as a top-10 left tackle in the NFL," Williamson is quoted as saying, "and he was a top-10 right tackle." Based upon the changes the Packers made in the offseason, it would appear they're banking on Bulaga being a top-tier left tackle in the NFL. It's still too early in his development to judge how he'll do as at left tackle, but his progress will no doubt be interesting to track.

Video: As WBAY in Green Bay reports, the efforts to re-name a road after Mike McCarthy have been delayed in De Pere...

WBAYBrian Carriveau is the author of the book "It's Just a Game: Big League Drama in Small Town America," and editor of Cheesehead TV's "Pro Football Draft Preview." To contact Brian, email carriveau@uwalumni.com.

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